Riz Ahmed was among the public figures to sign a letter to Keir Starmer that opposes British companies supplying Israel with weapons. Getty Images
Riz Ahmed was among the public figures to sign a letter to Keir Starmer that opposes British companies supplying Israel with weapons. Getty Images
Riz Ahmed was among the public figures to sign a letter to Keir Starmer that opposes British companies supplying Israel with weapons. Getty Images
Riz Ahmed was among the public figures to sign a letter to Keir Starmer that opposes British companies supplying Israel with weapons. Getty Images

Oscar winner leads calls for Keir Starmer to halt UK arms sales to Israel


Gillian Duncan
  • English
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Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Riz Ahmed is among 100 artists and celebrities in Britain who have urged Keir Starmer to halt arms sales to Israel if Labour wins the upcoming general election.

The Oscar-winning actor joined figures including director Asif Kapadia, singer Paloma Faith and actors Steve Coogan, Miriam Margolyes and Lena Headey in signing a letter calling on the party’s leader to end “UK complicity in war crimes in Gaza”.

“In just eight months, more than 35,000 people have been murdered by Israel. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s top court, has ordered Israel to 'immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah',” the letter reads.

“Yet, Israel has disregarded this ruling and bombed a designated 'safe space' 60 times in 48 hours, resulting in the deaths of entire families.”

The artists point out that arrest warrants are being sought for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Continuing to sell arms to a country whose leader is accused of such grave violations of international law is morally reprehensible,” the letter adds.

The UK's Conservative government has so far resisted pressure to halt the licences to supply weapons amid concerns Israel could be in breach of international humanitarian law as the conflict in Gaza continues.

Deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has previously said UK companies provide an estimated 0.02 per cent of Israel's overall arms imports.

A message to Keir Starmer is hung over the side of Westminster Bridge, central London. AFP
A message to Keir Starmer is hung over the side of Westminster Bridge, central London. AFP

Answering media questions at a campaign event at the Fusilier Museum in Bury, Mr Starmer said: "It is for the government obviously to review the licences. They do it one by one.

"They have got legal advice. We've been pressing them to disclose that legal advice. And I still press them to disclose that legal advice.

"Obviously, if we're privileged to come in to power, we'll be able to see that advice or commission our own.

"The Rafah offensive should not go ahead. And that I think our government should follow the US lead on this in relation to arms sales and review the licences to see whether any of them would be or are being used in the Rafah offensive."

He said his "number one priority is to ensure we get a ceasefire" in the Israel-Gaza war.

A Labour government would have a "duty" to play a "full part" in resolving the conflict in the Middle East long-term, Mr Starmer added.

UAE drops aid into Gaza - in pictures

He insisted human rights, international law and accountability "matters in Gaza" and added: "You wouldn't be human if you were not affected by the images that we've seen, the reports coming out of Gaza, the sheer number of people who have been killed – many of them women and children – and also the knowledge that hostages are still being held."

He said the best thing for both sides is to press for a ceasefire “immediately, straight away”, get the hostages out and get more aid into Gaza.

"And then that duty we will have if we come into power to play our full part in resolving the conflict in the Middle East for the long-term and that can only happen if we work with our allies, if we play our part on the world stage and clear the path for a two-state solution," Mr Starmer said.

"I'm not going to pretend that's going to be easy, I'm not going to pretend this isn't a very difficult starting point but that has to be, will be, the only way forward."

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Important questions to consider

1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?

There are different types of travel available for pets:

  • Manifest cargo
  • Excess luggage in the hold
  • Excess luggage in the cabin

Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.

 

2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?

If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.

If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.

 

3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?

As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.

If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty. 

If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport. 

 

4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?

This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.

In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.

 

5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?

Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.

Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.

Source: Pawsome Pets UAE

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2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis

2004 Beat Andy Roddick

2005 Beat Andy Roddick

2006 Beat Rafael Nadal

2007 Beat Rafael Nadal

2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal

2009 Beat Andy Roddick

2012 Beat Andy Murray

2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic

2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic

2017 Beat Marin Cilic

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Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)

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Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)

Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)

Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona

Updated: June 04, 2024, 8:06 AM`